Fujioka, Mizushima and Tokashiki in Japan's squad of 16 for Women's World Cup
TOKYO (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Manami Fujioka and Saki Mizushima look set to spearhead Japan's efforts for the second summer in a row after being named in a 16-strong squad for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife.
Fujioka lit up last year's FIBA Women's Asia Cup in India with some superb displays at point guard while Mizushima had an incredible Final against Australia, which Japan won 74-73.
| Japan 16-player squad for FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Himawari Akaho | Sakura Akaho | Manami Fujioka | Mika Fujitaka |
| Miyuki Kawamura | Rui Machida | Evelyn Mawuli | Yuki Miyazawa |
| Naho Miyoshi | Saki Mizushima | Nako Motohashi | Moeko Nagaoka |
| Haruno Nemoto | Monica Okoye | Maki Takada | Ramu Tokashiki |
Fujioka finished the tournament averaging 11.3 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds. In a 74-71 win over China in the Semi-Final, the 5ft 7in (1.70m) playmaker had a mesmerizing 19 points and 14 assists.
Mizushima failed to score in two games and did not get on the court for another. She ended up saving her best performance for last.
The 5ft 8in (1.72m) shooting guard hitting 7 of 9 shots from 3-point range and scored 26 points in the title-game triumph over the Opals.
Japan's superstar center, Ramu Tokashiki, was missing from that tournament but is now poised to play in Spain.
The MVP of the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Women's Asia Cups, Tokashiki will bolster a front line that also has Maki Takada. The leading scorer in last summer's team at 13.7ppg, Moeko Nagaoka, is also in a Japan squad that will not be short of firepower.
FIBA
